Latest news with #DVSS
Borneo Post
21-07-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
No more leniency, rabies enforcement to begin soon, Mayor warns dog owners
Wee stresses his point during the press conference. To his left is his deputy, Dato Zaiedi Suhaili. – Photo by Mohd Faisal Ahmad KUCHING (July 21): Kuching South mayor Dato Wee Hong Seng has issued a stern warning to irresponsible dog owners that enforcement action will begin very soon as part of ongoing efforts to keep rabies under control in the state. He said owners who fail to comply with the mandatory anti-rabies vaccination requirement for their pets would face a fine not exceeding RM2,500 under Section 40 of the Veterinary Public Health Ordinance 1999. 'The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) will start taking action very soon. 'I cannot tell you when, but it will definitely be within this year,' he told a press conference held in conjunction with the proposed single-storey community centre project at Hui Sing Park here today. He stressed that there no longer be leniency, pointing out that in the past, he had personally appealed to the higher authorities to reduce the compound to RM50 as a warning, in consideration of the difficult economic situation faced by many pet owners. 'Last time, I wrote to the higher authorities and said time is bad, please give this as a warning. So, we penalised people RM50 out of RM2,000,' he said. However, Wee said that despite the reduced penalty and repeated public education efforts, many pet owners still failed to vaccinate their pets or keep them secured, putting others at risk. 'Now people still don't want to listen. So, it's no longer fair. 'Enough is enough. We have done our part, and we expect pet owners to do theirs,' he added. He pointed out that authorities have continued to do their part such as increasing the number of free vaccination drives from twice to five times a year. 'We pay for these weekend vaccination drives. Who pays for the overtime? We pay. And when I say 'we', it's the taxpayers. 'Why should the wider community pay the price for a small group of people who are irresponsible?' he remarked. While the mayor acknowledged that recent rabies control efforts have shown encouraging results, with zero dog bite cases reported in the past week, he said MBKS is continuing to monitor the situation weekly with DVS, and stricter enforcement is needed to prevent complacency. 'We hope pet owners will take this seriously before we start issuing compounds. If your dog is not vaccinated, you will be fined. 'The penalties can go beyond just a fine. Under the law, the authorities also have the power to impose imprisonment in serious cases,' he said. dog owners enforcement lead rabies Wee Hong Seng
Borneo Post
22-06-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
DVSS honoured for sustainable agriculture at GovMedia Awards 2025
Dr Adrian (second left) holds the award aloft. KUCHING (June 22): The Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS) has won the 'Malaysia Sustainability Initiative of the Year – Agriculture category' at the GovMedia Awards 2025, held recently in Singapore. According to a report by Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas), the award recognises DVSS' exemplary effort in transforming the state's agricultural landscape through its Pasir Puteh Pig Farming Area (PFA). DVSS director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud received the award at the ceremony. 'The GovMedia Awards recognise trends and best practices that are transforming the public sector across the Asia Pacific. 'The awards programme promotes excellence and provides a platform for exemplary government initiatives,' the report stated. The Pasir Puteh PFA, located in Simunjan, spans 804 hectares and is situated just four kilometres off the main Serian-Sri Aman Road. Its development aligns with the National Agriculture Policy's vision of modernising the livestock industry. Since its establishment, the facility has implemented centralised systems for waste treatment and disease control, as an effort to enhance efficiency and sustainability. The PFA also employs stringent biosecurity measures to prevent disease outbreaks and ensure animal health, safeguarding both consumer wellbeing and environmental quality. Since 2017, the facility has exported over 675,000 porkers worth RM742.5 million to Singapore. The current standing pig population (SPP) at the PFA is estimated at 135,000 heads. The Pasir Puteh PFA aims to reach its full capacity of 250,000 SPP by 2030. This expansion will include the development of additional modern pig farms in Ensengei, Serian and Selangau, Sibu, with a projected combined capacity of 500,000 SPP. These initiatives are expected to contribute RM1.5 billion in annual revenue, positioning Sarawak as a key regional exporter of pork products.
Borneo Post
27-05-2025
- Health
- Borneo Post
Rabies in Borneo 2025 Conference set for Sept 30 to Oct 1 in Kuching
A dog owner has their pets vaccinated against the rabies virus in this file photo. KUCHING (May 26): The fourth edition of the Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2025 conference will take place from Sept 30 to Oct 1 at Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK). Themed 'Rabies-Free Borneo: Uniting People, Animals, and Communities', the two-day event is jointly organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd and the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), with support from the Ministry of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development; the Ministry of Public Health, Housing and Local Government; and Business Events Sarawak. Minister for Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development, Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi Utom, told reporters that the conference aims to bring together local and international delegates in a collective effort to eliminate rabies from Borneo, stressing the urgent need for coordinated action. 'We are trying to get global forces to come in and fight rabies in Borneo, knowing that it is a difficult task,' he said at a press conference held at his office inside the State Legislative Assembly (DUN) complex here today. Since the outbreak in 2017, 4,912 samples from animals were collected and tested, of which 1,021 (23 per cent) returned positive results – including 125 cases involving cats. 'To date, 84 human rabies cases have been recorded, including the most recent incident, with 76 deaths due to delayed medical treatment,' Dr Rundi revealed, adding that all rabies survivors had received early vaccination following exposure to animal bites or scratches. With the recent case of infection involving a 13-year-old boy in Kuching, he stressed the importance of seeking immediate medical attention to prevent the virus from spreading and causing death. 'Please seek immediate medical treatment after being exposed to animal bites or scratches. 'Death from rabies is preventable, but we need cooperation from the public to make this happen,' he emphasised. The minister also urged animal lovers and pet owners to play their part in curbing this issue. 'We can raise dogs, but we must make sure that they are licensed and vaccinated so that they will cause problems in the future,' he added. Also present were Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Sarawak Deputy Minister Datuk Martin Ben and Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak Director Datu Dr Adrian Susin Ambud. Dr Stephen Rundi Utom lead rabies Rabies in Borneo Conference
Barnama
23-05-2025
- Business
- Barnama
13MP: Sarawak Needs Large Allocation To Boost Ruminant Industry
KUCHING, May 23 (Bernama) -- Sarawak needs a bigger allocation under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) to strengthen the ruminant industry in the state, thereby achieving at least 50 per cent self-sufficiency for the local market. Serembu assemblyman, Miro Simuh said the ruminant industry needs to be given serious and comprehensive attention in the state's development planning so that Sarawak can be self-sufficient in meat supply, especially during festive seasons such as Hari Raya Aidiladha. 'I also propose that special attention be given to the Sarawak Ruminant Policy led by the Sarawak Veterinary Services Department (DVSS). 'There should be higher emphasis on matters such as improving genetic quality and focus on domestic breeding to attract small breeders or investments from larger and more modern private companies,' he said. He said this when debating the motion of thanks for the address of the Yang Dipertua Negeri of Sarawak Tun Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar at the State Legislative Assembly sitting here today. Miro said output from the ruminant industry in Sarawak is extremely low, with the state's ruminant industry self-sufficiency rate still below 20 per cent. According to him, the development of the local livestock feed industry also deserves attention as an important supporting component in the livestock industry chain. He proposed that the state government introduce certain incentives to attract local investors to set up livestock feed factories, thus boosting the ruminant industry ecosystem sustainably and comprehensively. He also proposed that DVSS conduct more training and technical courses, technology transfer and farm management for those interested in venturing into the livestock industry.
Borneo Post
23-05-2025
- Business
- Borneo Post
Serembu rep urges bigger budget to boost Sarawak's ruminant industry to achieve 50 pct self-sufficiency
Miro reiterates the need for a substantial allocation in the upcoming 13MP to strengthen the industry and help Sarawak meet at least half of its local demand through domestic production. – Photo by Roystein Emmor KUCHING (May 23): Serembu assemblyman Miro Simuh has proposed a larger budget allocation to further enhance the ruminant industry in Sarawak under the 13th Malaysia Plan (13MP) with the aim of achieving at least 50 per cent self-sufficiency in meeting local market demand. At the Sarawak State Legislative Assembly (DUN) sitting today, he said the policy direction for the development of the ruminant industry in Sarawak should prioritise improving productivity, reducing dependency on imported meat, enhancing genetic management efficiency, and ultimately strengthening income generation for farmers involved. 'However, current productivity levels in the ruminant industry remain very low. We are still heavily reliant on imported meat to meet domestic needs. 'Based on available data, the self-sufficiency level of our ruminant industry in Sarawak has yet to reach even 20 per cent,' he revealed. As such, Miro reiterated the need for a substantial allocation in the upcoming 13MP to strengthen the industry and help Sarawak meet at least half of its local demand through domestic production. He also called for greater focus on the Sarawak Ruminant Policy, led by the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVSS), which he said should prioritise three key areas. Firstly, the policy should emphasise genetic quality enhancement and increased domestic breeding. These efforts, he added, would help grow the number of livestock farmers in the state, including both smallholders and large-scale private sector investors operating modern farms. 'Only with financial assistance and government support can we afford to import diverse, high-quality breeds for breeding purposes in Sarawak, and thereby increase the number of cattle and goats available locally,' he said. Secondly, Miro underlined the importance of developing local animal feed production, describing it as a critical supporting industry within the livestock production cycle. 'The government could introduce specific incentives to encourage more local investors to venture into feed manufacturing. 'With the presence of local feed mills, the livestock and ruminant industries will be further stimulated in the years to come,' he said. Thirdly, he proposed that DVSS plan more courses and training programmes for those interested in joining the ruminant industry. 'Technical training, technology transfer, and sound farm management are essential to prepare and support aspiring livestock farmers,' he said. 13MP DUN Miro Simuh ruminant industry self sufficiency
